Aquatic Plant Sale

The CCSWCD will not hold a Spring 2021 Aquatic Plant Sale. 

 

Aquatic Plant Infomation:

 

Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower is the Cadillac of wetland flowering plants. The vibrant red flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds alike. Cardinal flower does best on the shoreline/water interface and therefor provides some protection against erosion. These plants spread very slowly and like iris, need to be planted where you want them to grow. Cardinal flower may grow to heights of five feet, but 3 to 4 feet is theaverage. Plant in groups spaced to create the desired aesthetic effect.

Ironweed

Ironweed is an additional plant that produces showy blossoms. The purple flowers are highly attractive to butterflies in late summer. Ironweed will grow in moist soil, just above the water’s edge. The primary purpose for planting Ironweed is to add color to the pond’s edge. Ironweed may grow to heights of five feet, but 3 to 4 feet is the average.Plant in groups spaced to create the desired aesthetic effect.

New England Aster

New England aster is a common plant that produces showy blossoms into fall. Again, the purple flowers are highly attractive to butterflies. New England aster will grow in both moist and dry soils and may attain heights of 4 feet. Plant in groups spaced to create the desired aesthetic effect.

Three Square Bullrush

Three square bulrush is a plant with “reedy” or “whip” type stems which are triangular in cross section. The leaves have been reduced to a sheath at the base of the stem. The flowers are presented as brown “bullet-shaped” structures seated tightly near the tip of the stem. This plant is restricted in its growth to water less than 1 foot deep. Although growing to 2.5 to 3 feet tall, it keeps a relatively neat growth appearance and does not produce an overly thick stand. Three square bulrush is an excellent shoreline stabilizer and provides seeds for birds and waterfowl to eat. This species will spread on its own and can be planted in small clumps, spaced 12 to 16 feet apart for maximum effect.
    

Wild Iris

Wild iris looks very similar to the cultivated “bearded” irises, but with slightly smaller flowers. It develops very showy blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The leaves can reach a height of 3.5 feet. Wild iris is restricted to growing in shallow water. It thick root system helps protect the shoreline from erosion while providing valuable aesthetic benefits. Wild iris spreads very slowly and needs to be primarily planted where you want it to grow. Space transplants in small groups spaced 8 to 12 feet apart, or evenly spaced about every 2 feet.

Swamp Milkweed

Swamp milkweed produces very showy pink
blossoms that are very attractive to butterflies. This is one of the many milkweed species that are the essential food supply to monarch butterfly caterpillars. It is planted around the pond primarily for its aesthetic value, but its root systems will help protect shorelines from erosion. Stem heights will reach 3.5 to 4 feet. Plant in groups spaced to< create the desired aesthetic effect.
   
   
   
   
 

 

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